New to Tournament Bridge? Here's What to Know!
Welcome! If you’re new to bridge tournaments, your first outing may feel a bit daunting. But keep in mind that a tournament runs just like your weekly club game; you can play just one session (the same length as your club game) or all sessions!
We hope these tips will help you feel more comfortable so you can focus on enjoying the game and gaining experience. Tournaments are a wonderful way to improve your bridge skills, meet other players, and have fun along the way.
Registration
No pre-registration is required. Just arrive at least 15 minutes before game time to register. Both cash and credit cards are accepted.
Partnerships
Most players arrange their own partnerships. However, if you need a partner or a team, email the Partnership Chair (for the AVL Sectional, email Rise Meyers at Rise.Meyers@gmail.com). Try to arrange a partnership as early as possible.
Event Types
Pair events are just like what you play at your club, with matchpoint scoring. At the AVL Sectional, there will be pair events at all six sessions. On Thursday and Friday, games are organized by master points, with three categories: 0-199 master points, non-life master points, and open (all other levels). The open pairs are stratified: 0-1000 pts, 1000-3000, and 3000+.
Team events require a team of four players. The AVL Sectional will hold an all-day Swiss teams event on Saturday. In Swiss teams, your team will play a match against another team, usually consisting of 6 or 8 boards. Each of the boards are played twice, once at your table and once at the other table where your teammates hold the cards that are held by the opponents at your table. Scoring is done by a method called International Match Points (IMPs).
Convention Cards
Each partnership is required to have two identically filled out convention cards at the table. This is for the benefit of the opponents, who have the right to request to see your card in order to learn about your bidding and carding agreements. Blank convention cards are available at the tournament.
Director Calls
Directors register players and tabulate the scores for all the events. In the event of an irregularity (e.g., bids made out of turn, leads made out of turn, insufficient bids, revokes), directors are there to assist. If an irregularity occurs at your table, raise your hand and call, "Director, please." (Don’t forget the “please”!) If your opponents call the director, do not be worried or embarrassed; director calls are a frequent part of the game.
Bridge Etiquette
Bridge is most fun if everyone is on their best behavior at the table. In addition, it’s helpful to review some basic bridge rules in order to minimize the need for director calls.
General etiquette
Greet opponents when you arrive, introduce yourselves, and be respectful and courteous.
Avoid discussing previous hands with your partner in front of opponents (save it for after the game).
Do not criticize your partner (also save it for later when you may have cooled down enough to share in the “blame” 🙂).
Bidding etiquette
During the bidding, you are allowed to ask the opponents what a bid means only when it is your turn to bid.
Make your decision about what to bid before touching the bidding box (hesitating with your hand on the box may give your partner or opponents extra information).
Remember to alert your partner’s bids deemed alertable on your convention card (i.e., say “alert” but do not give further information unless requested).
Playing etiquette
Before you make an opening lead, with your planned card face down, ask your partner, “Any questions?” or ask your opponents, “May I lead?” This prevents an out-of-turn lead. Make your lead before making any notes in order to speed up play and give the declarer time to study the dummy.
Avoid snapping your cards when you count the cards prior to looking at your hand, or when you lay them on the table. (Some players are sensitive to sounds.)
At the end of the hand, do not mix up your cards until the result has been agreed upon by all parties.
Try to play as smoothly and evenly (without hesitation) as possible.
Dummy etiquette:
As dummy, you may not play or touch any card in the dummy until declarer calls for it.
If declarer calls for a suit (e.g., “spade”) but not a specific card in the suit, it is assumed that declarer is asking for the lowest-ranking card. If declarer calls for a rank (e.g., “the ten”) but not a specific suit, it is assumed that declarer is asking for that rank in the last suit played.
Dummy is allowed to speak only to prevent partner from playing from the wrong hand (e.g., “Partner, you’re on the board”) or to prevent partner from revoking (e.g., “No hearts, partner?”).